If there is a single point that you pull from the crazy rants that I spill on this blog it is this one thing.

If you are on stage, in front of a client or in a classroom, be yourself there. There is nothing in this world that will make everyone that you are speaking to disengage faster than a fake persona on the stage. More importantly, then that though is NOTHING will engage an audience faster than someone who is comfortable enough to be themselves. If you are honest and authentic then they will engage.

I will at times feel myself holding back when I am speaking. Thinking the thoughts of “that’s not appropriate”. In those moments be yourself. Clearly, if the joke is offensive that is different, but never be afraid to be you. If you flail your arms like a crazed chimpanzee when you talk to your friends then you should be like a crazed gorilla on stage. Don’t hit reverse push the rocket launch button!

There is a confidence that exudes from a person who knows who they are and are comfortable with it. That’s the kind of confidence that you need as you are in front of people and all that attention is on you. So don’t shy away from it! Revel in it! Let the fact that all eyes are on you and you have the entire rooms attention be your motivation to show them what you are made of and just the kind of bad ass you can be!